I’ve long had a love for travel by train, probably owing to a trip to Cape Town my mom took with my brother and me when we were still little, just 4 and 6 I think. I lucked out in my professional capacity when I moved to London in 2008; my role as a brand manager for both SSP and Paramount Restaurants (now Brasserie Blanc) meant visiting my units and restaurants around the country, mostly by rail. As a visual creature, being able to look out of a window and actually see the landscape change is just magic. While flying is fast and convenient, you don’t really feel a part of the experience; travel by train is visceral.

I recently ticked off one of my wanderlist to-do’s: travel on Rovos Rail. One of the things I love about [finally] being my own boss is the freedom to design my life and workweek, sans guilt and that dreaded ‘can I please take leave’ conversation with the boss. So for my birthday this year, I decided to schedule some time-off and journey from Cape Town back to Pretoria with J on the world-renowned Rovos Rail. This two-night adventure across the Karoo, stopping along the way at Matjesfontein and either Kimberly or Bloemfontein (depending on which line you’re on) is a real treat and something you need to experience in your lifetime.

The journey started at 8:30AM on Monday morning in Cape Town at the Rovos Rail HQ on Adderley Street. Kagiso came bounding towards us with a spring in his step and a smile that didn’t leave him throughout the journey. Our luggage was whisked away and we were offered some bubbly and a seat in the lounge, accompanied by music from The Palm Strings (I see what they did there) on violin and guitar. When all passengers had arrived we were introduced to the team, briefed and then led to our cabins on the train by our host/hostess for the duration of the journey.

The cabins are fully contained with everything you need for the trip, no detail spared. The walls are paneled with dark mahogany, there’s art on the walls and the loo has the best ever-changing view. We stayed in a Deluxe Suite which has a double bed, mini bar, tea/coffee station, a fold-away table and two chairs which serve as a small lounge area. The bathroom has a shower, basin, loo and heater, ideal for those nippy winter mornings.

By 11 AM we were on our way, that gentle rock and lull everything I’d hoped it’d be. The views leaving the Cape through the winelands were breathtaking; green vineyards bordered by hazy purple mountains. We sat in the formal lounge in the front for a while, drinking tea, nibbling on snacks and taking it all in.

If you hate food (do such people even exist?) then traveling on Rovos Rail is certainly not for you; the trip is essentially a 48-hour feast punctuated with sleep. The dining cart is truly otherworldly and I love that guests are required to dress up at meals times, it creates atmosphere and sets the scene for the experience which is nothing short of regal. The food, drink and service is excellent and it’s hard to believe a small train kitchen is capable of fare like that which we enjoyed. I mean: lobster. Are you kidding me? I knew we were in for a treat, but I really didn’t anticipate lobster.

And if six three-course meals aren’t enough, there’s high tea served in the observation car at the tail of the train in the afternoons too. We loved the observation car and ended up spending most of our time there playing games, reading, writing and enjoying the bar and company of other travellers. Food and drink is all-inclusive so the only cash one needs to carry is to leave a tip for the amazing staff at the end of the journey (at your discretion of course). And maybe a little for a quick drink at the bar in Matjesfontein, the first stop. I’ve always wanted to visit this one-horse town, home to the shortest guided bus tour in Africa: 5 minutes, and a real hoot. We had an hour to stretch our legs at sunset in this sweet little Karoo town.

If you’re a light sleeper then I’d recommend packing the Melatonin or Somnil; sleeping on a moving train is unusual and can be a little disruptive. The trains generally do stop for a good few hours during the night to ensure some peaceful, stationary sleep. I slept much better on the second night, perhaps the excitement of the first got to me. I loved sleeping with the blinds open to let sunrise over the Karoo in and to wake up with the light. Heaven.

The final day of our journey, the Wednesday, was really special for me. I woke up on my birthday to a cabin full of balloons, bunting hanging across the cabin, the whole nine yards. We had a lazy morning and enjoyed our last breakfast aboard the train before pulling in to the station just outside of Pretoria. I couldn’t have asked for a more memorable way to spend my birthday, the last one before I become a mom. Eep!

The Rovos Rail 2-for-1 Winter Promotion

If this is a trip you’d like to add to your wanderlist, the folks at Rovos Rail are offering residents of South Africa and its neighbouring countries a 50% reduced rate on board a two-night Cape Town journey between April and September each year. The 2-for-1 rate is R14 325 per person (as opposed to R28 650 per person) and includes accommodation in a Deluxe suite, all meals on board, all alcoholic and other beverages, all off-train excursions (if the train is running to schedule), room service and a limited laundry service. The offer does not include flights, transfers or gratuities for the train staff.

SA Airlink now offer flights to and from Wonderboom Airport which is 11.4km from the Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria where all train journeys begin or end.

Pretoria to Cape Town – the train departs at 15h00 on a Wednesday or Friday afternoon and gets into Cape Town on a Friday or Sunday evening at about 18h00.

Cape Town to Pretoria – the train departs on a Saturday or Monday morning at 11h00 and gets into Pretoria at about 12h00 on a Monday or Wednesday.

Right, so let me get straight to the sexy bit you’re dying to know more about. The kind folks at Rovos Rail have given me the trip of a lifetime to gift to one lucky reader for two people aboard one of their luxurious trains, valued at R57 000. The winner and his/her plus one will get to enjoy two nights in a Deluxe Suite on a Cape Town to Johannesburg or Johannesburg to Cape Town journey between April and September 2018, all food and drink included.

Please note these T’s & C’s before you enter:

Prize valid only from April – September 2018

Prize does not include flights or transfers, the cost of these will need to be covered by the winner and his/her plus one

Prize does not include staff gratuities

Prize valid only for the Cape Town to Johannesburg or Johannesburg to Cape Town routes

Prize winner and his/her partner must be over the age of 18

This is how you can enter, there are five ways and you can enter once via each method to up your chances of winning this phenomenal prize:

Comment on this blog post (please include your e-mail address so I can contact you if you’ve won, don’t worry it will not be visible to anyone but me) and tell me who you’ll be taking on this once-in-a-lifetime journey with you. I’d love a sentence or two explaining why you’ve chosen said partner in crime, but it’s totally okay if you’d prefer to keep your reason to yourself. Make sure to tell your friend/loved one to reciprocate to up your chances of winning.

Tweet and tell me why you deserve to win this epic prize, be sure to include the hashtag #BrandslutXRovosRail so I can track your entry

Take a screen-grab of this Instagram post and re-share it with your Instagram audience, be sure to caption it with a little blurb about who you want to spoil on this trip (tag them if they’re on Instagram) and be sure to include the hashtag #BrandslutXRovosRail so I can track your entry. You’ll need to be following me (@Brandslut) and @RovosRail on Instagram to qualify. If reposting is not your thang, then leave a comment on my original Instagram post, just be sure to follow me and @RovosRail to qualify.

Get creative with an Instastory, just be sure to tag me (@brandslut) so I can track your entry.

Competition closes midnight on October 31st, winner will be selected using an online random integer generator. The winner will be announced by 6 November 2017.

12 Dec 2017 i would be married to the most amazing husband friend father lover for 25 wonderful years. Well 25 in total not counting the year we were divorced (2004). Yes…we married each other TWICE. (Both times on the 12th Dec). That is why i would love to surprise him with the TWO special celebratory nights on a train fitting of such a wonderful celebration.

This would be very special to my boyfriend as his father recently passed away and always travelled South Africa with his family. The Rovos Rail was something he wanted to do before he died but never got the chance, it would be such a stunning surprise! ❤️

I recently got engaged to the love of my life after 6 years of being together. She has been dying to show me the rest of South Africa and top of our list is do a trip through Karoo as we have never been west of the country and this would be a dream trip for us before we start planning our wedding to spend the rest of our lives together <3

I would take my partner who has been obsessed with trains since he was a little boy. At school we would take the train on an overnight trip from Pretoria to Pietermaritzburg for a Derby day against one of the schools there. I have amazing memories of sharing a six sleeper cabin with my friends and the three level bunk beds. Travelling with Rovos Rail would be a dream come true!

My fiance and I are getting married in November, and this trip next year would just be the icing on the cake! We love the South African country side, and he adores train travel – we dream of taking this trip together.

Oh. My. Word. I feel like this competition was created purely for ME to enter!!!!!!!! I would do anything to win this! I would take my husband, Bruce!!!! We have not been on holiday together alone since our honeymoon almost 6 years ago- not even for a night! We would be SO happy to win this and finally get our holiday for two!!! ?? holding thumbs for this increadible giveaway! ??

I would love to spoil my best friend, who has been my pillar of strength whilst I’ve been going through my divorce. We’re both totally food obsessed so believe me, no dining opportunity offered on board would go unappreciated! It would be an absolute dream to escape for a few days and go all out indulging in what Rovos rail has to offer.

Ps I absolutely love my brows and have sent over your details to a couple friends now suffering from brow envy ?

Very cool article. My wife & I did the shosholoza last year. While it most definitely doesn’t hold up to the Rovos Rail. It was a fun experience traveling by train. I’d take my lovely wife & my camera. ? Cause I couldn’t imagine this experience without Emma. My camera cause you gotta take pictures. ??

I’d deeefs take my boyfriend, Corne On this trip. He’s not only my boyfriend but my best friend as well! January he will be leaving on a 4 month adventure abroad so this trip will be a great suprise for when he returns so he can experience our beautiful country with me obviouslyy ?

Oh wouldn’t this be just the best little getaway for my fiancé and I. Our brand new baby girl will be just a year old in September next year (old enough to leave with her grand parents for two nights) and this would be a journey of a lifetime for us…
please random winner generator pick us xoxoxo

I would take my husband as a belated babymoon (baby due March 2018). We are expecting our second baby and there has just never been money for a babymoon. As this will be my last pregnancy :( its now or never.

I’m getting married in November and as much as I’d love to take my amazing husband with this trip would be the ultimate gift for my grandpa! He’s 91years old and still an absolute legend- he would literally cry at the idea of a trip in this epic train. It really would be the most special 2 day trip for us together. I really hope you choose me as this is definitely something that will never be forgotten by my grandpa & i.

I would love to win this train trip – it’s been on my bucket list forever! I would take my aunt with me. We are very close – she has been through so much in her life – and I would love to spoil her with thisonce-in-a-lifetime experience.
K

After living in Cape Town for 5 years, I moved back to Joburg a year ago now and the hardest part of my move was leaving my best friend (more like my sister) behind – we’d moved to Cape Town within a month of each other in 2012. She’s emigrating next year and this incredible trip would be the most amazing way for us to having one last epic girly adventure before she embarks on her new journey overseas!! :)

Next year marks a decade of marriage to my husband/bestie. We love exploring this beautiful country of ours and love going off the beaten path to find hidden gems. A rail adventure sounds just up our alley!

It was my dream to take my Gran on this Rovos rail trip through her birthplace but as she is no longer with us I would love to take my mom or my husband. I feel like I was born in the wrong era so this trip would be a dream come true! What an amazing giveaway!

I would love take my husband. We recently got married and in the beginning when we first started dating we were students and back then my husband never had a car but he would always make a way to visit me. He lived in Stellenbosch and I lived in the northern suburbs. And most of the time he would take the train. He kept all his train tickets of each his visits to me – it would be the sweetest prize to win and would add a lovely memory as husband and wife.

I’d take my husband to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary in August next year. Our kids will be 3 and 1.5 then which seems like the perfect time for a little breather and to reconnect. This will be pure bliss!

Oh my goodness!! The trip of a lifetime!
Hubby and I have travelled extensively in South East Asia but are still dying to see more of our own beautiful country!! This would be the perfect way to start.
We also celebrated our 5th year wedding aniversary it was a few days after the birth of our little girl, and so a little overshadowed ??
I would love to wine and dine with him aboard the Rovos Rail in celebration of our anniversary ❤️

I’d take my mum on this trip. Living overseas I seldom get to spend quality time with her so I’d leave the kid with the husband and fly out from Dubai to enjoy a much needed break with my pillar of strength, my mum.

Would love to win this trip of a lifetime. I would take my precious hubby along and as we will be celebrating our 33rd wedding anniversary in May 2018 it would be a perfect time away for us celebrating our life together despite so many health challenges.

This would be a dream! Next year I celebrate my 50th birthday and want a year of travel and fun adventures to mark it. I would take my husband of 28 years who is obsessed with trains nearly on the same level as Sheldon Cooper from Big Bang!

I would take my amazing husband SJ. We had our first baby end of August and he took off a whole month and literally did everything around the house, from cleaning, cooking, dishes, washing, shopping you name it! Giving me time to only focus on our little baba! So think this will be a lovely and well deserved spoil!

I will be taking my husband on this once-in-a-lifetime journey because he has been there for me through so much, he works so hard and works weekends so he really needs a break plus we are celebrating our wedding anniversary and what better way than to celebrate doing something neither of us have ever done in our lifetimes. This would be a dream come true as this is something that is on my bucket list.

I would love to spoil my boyfriend. He asked me out two years ago (after being friends for 7 years) and I said no because I was afraid. Now we’ve taken the leap two years later and i need to make it up to him for having said no back in the day. He spoiled me, I’d love to spoil him now.

Oooh i need a break, like for real. and what better way than relaxing on a train while suffering from a food coma with my man crush and playing board games, aaannnnd getting to tick off my bucket list, aah, heaven!

For this once-in-a-lifetime experience I would take my friend Emma. She was an outstanding travelling companion in Morocco and I think this trip would prove to be even more fun – with much less hassle. Plus she is the ultimate instagram husband, Karoo-lover and champagne-toasing buddy!

I would spoil my loving fiance’ with this surprise. We have been together for 4 years and have 2 boys. We don’t have the money for a wedding or a honeymoon, but this would be a dream come true vacation trip for us. Holding thumbs!

What an awesome prize!! 31 May 2018 will be our 10 year anniversary; 2 kids later and I’ve forgotten what it’s like being alone with each other for more than a few hours….gosh how big miss it.
This would truly be a dream come true for us.

What a glorious experience for you and it would be unbelievable if I won this once in a lifetime trip! I would love to take my amazing hubby but I think my mom and I need this trip together and it will be so special and well deserved. My loving man will happily babysit while my mom and I enjoy the delights of such a gorgeous adventure. She is such a huge support to us, always encouraging us to focus on one another, take time together and helping where she can with our angel child. So this would be a fabulous surprise for her. Pick me, please!

I would love to take my daughter Illona on this once-in-a-lifetime journey because she had 3 brain tumours and only one could be removed, resulting in blindness in one eye, so she has had a long struggle with this and I know that she has always wanted to go on the Rovos Rail as it is something we have never done and to be able to spend time with her would be so wonderful.

wow this would be the best trip ever and I would without a doubt take my wife because we are celebrating 27 years of blissful marriage, our daughter is getting married next year so we are going to need this wonderful distraction to take away the empty nest syndrome.

This is something my hubby and I have often spoken about and I have dreamed of doing, so I would most definitely take him with!! It sounds like the most precious trip to share with your favourite person in the world. The sights and sounds as our gorgeous South African landscape rolls past, the faces of happy people who greet you as you steam past, the excited hum of chatter on-board the train and of course, the decadence of top-class food and a regter egter “high tea”, sjoe!! What more could a girl ask for other than that she share it with her one true love. If I won, I would love to time it to coincide with my birthday too next year! What a fantastic way to celebrate life in true South African luxury and style!! Yay for Rovos Rail and good luck to everybody…. someone’s dream is going to come true!!!

I would love to take my husband Andrew Owen-Jones on this trip. I used to travel from CT to Durbs to visit my granny when i was very little and Ive always said it is my favorite way to travel-i getting horribly motion sick so the train is to me the ultimate travelling system as it has no motion that can really make you nauseous. And what fun to be in the ultimate height of luxury on Rovos rail.

Their once was a young girl called Camilla
Husband Andrew, who she adored, he loved his boat and his tiller
She wanted to broaden his horizon trail
And won a trip on board Rovos Rail
They had a blast, and saw the past and now their lives are so much fuller

I would take my wife Laurette. We used to drivr between Kimberley and Potchefstroom regularly as we were dating long distance at the time. Many times I would see the Rovos Rail train as it went past the flamingoes just outside Kimberley! Always wished I could take her on Rovos Rail one day!

I’ve never been on a train before so would absolutely LOVE to win this experience!!! I’d be taking my boyfriend along with me if I was the lucky winner as this is such a romantic trip to experience with your lover. Living a busy life in JHB, this would be such a great way for the 2 of us to just unwind and have fun… in amazing luxury of course!

Sounds like the experience of a lifetime.
I would take my Prince of a husband who has been phenomenal since the birth of our new baby girl in May. Washing, cooking, dishes, nappies …..you name it he does it so we can have some bonding time and I can get those extra zzzzzzz. He is absolutely amazing and this trip would be an awesome THANK YOU present to him.

I would take my amazing husband. He’s a very talented photographer, so you can be sure of some awesome photos! We did a trip to Cape Town on Shosholoza Meyl last year and absolutely loved it! This would be the experience of a lifetime ?

An exciting classy train trip would be a very romantic and meaningful experienc3 for my guy and myself. We have found each other in our Autumn years after both being alone for decades… .
We both love trains as my Father was a steam train engine driver and my new love travelled by train as I did in our youth …that was the means of travel to collage sporting activities visits to holiday or family destinations…
It would be a thrilling dream come true for us .!!

I know I should say I would take my husband but to be honest my friend, Chantal, deserves it more. I would love to spoil her with this trip, as she has had a very rough year with her dad passing away, her fiancé up and leaving her to go to the UK without her as well as all the other hardships that go with running a full time photography business. With all this happening, I don’t think she has been on a holiday in 18 months and really could use a little break and a spoil.

I am not sure if Rovos Rail in wheelchair friendly? I would give anything to experience the Trip of a lifetime it’s one of my bucket list wishes. Last night I watched a Rivos Rail wedding on TV and it was fairy tale perfect.

This is so awesome, I just see this train pass Upington to Namibia and I do Inspections since we are the The port of entry. I have been dreaming of taking a tour in one and I still believe that one day my day will come, when I win I will take my sister with me because she looks up to me and I would love to have this experience with me. I Love Rovos ,such Class and Luxury im a go getter and this dream shall come true

Oh gosh I need this in my life BADLY. Our twins arrived 7 weeks early and that meant that not only did we miss our baby moon, but also landed up having to move up our wedding to a few hours after they were born (in my hospital wedding gown 4 hours after labour and a C-section). Sigh…….

This trip looked incredible and a great way to reconnect and remind me about life after babies :)

I would definitely take my hubby, Chris. He has a huge love for trains and there is not a lot of options when it comes to travelling by train here (although the trip to the airport does get him excited- hahaha.)

I would love to take my husband, my person, Gareth with me. August 2018 will be our 10 year wedding anniversary. I lost my dad recently, and his death has taught me to enjoy your partner and life to the fullest while you have the time. This trip would allow us to do just that.

I would take my boyfriend with,I believe the Universe brought our two souls together because we weren’t in contact for years and out of the blue we started talking again,and it felt like home.Ive always known in my heart that he is The One and hopefully on winning this mind blowing giveaway it can bring us even more closer together.My mom grew up in Matjiesfontein and I would love for him to explore it with me along with some fine dining and hospitality on that magical train. Can’t wait to be wrapped up in class,royalty,elegance and enjoying our beautiful landscape with my sweetheart.

I will take my partner in crime, My husband Peter, because we have been together for so many years, but we have never really had the opportunity to do an adventure together, and the Rovos Rail is one of our bucket list adventures, it would be simply fantastic to board that train and enjoy all the delicious decadent delightful food and sights, getting no sleep, but enjoying every moment of the once in a lifetime adventure.

Talk about once in a life time trips, this sounds like it could take the cake! I would love to sit on the observation car with my boyfriend Alex! He is a true gem and I would love to spoil him for just being as amazing as he is!

I’d defnitley take my mom! As soon as I read this, I instantly thought of her. My love for travel stems from her and her adventourous spirit. She’s afforded me so many opportunities, so I would love to win this for her!

Wow, what an incredible prize!
I’d love to take my mom. When we were kids my dad used to work for a company linked with the Shosholoza Meyl (the over night train in South Africa) so we would take the train from JHB to Cape Town all the time. My dad has since passed away but my mom and I still associate trains with my dad. It would be such a nice way to remember our childhood travels.

Hi Misha! This trip looks truly divine! I would love to take my Mom, she has been in remission from breast cancer for 10 years to date and in the last year has so bravely helped my father to fight his colon cancer, not to mention the incredible support she has given me with a very big move from Bloemfontein to Cape Town in the last year. She deserves a break and this would be an absolute treat for her.

I would take my co-everything-husband-human-Ross. We absolutely love train travel and try to sample it in every corner of the planet we visit, but its usually a little rough around the edges (which has its own charm). We have however never had the operativity to travel on something as majestic and graceful as the Rovos, what a spoil!

As I drive past the Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria on a daily basis, I long to be one of those luxurious train cabins!
I would definitely want to take my handsome boyfriend with as I feel that we both are always ready for new adventures, especially when it comes to travelling. #travellingpartners #adventure #RovosRail #win #brandslut #luxury

Wow – what a beautiful journey. Thank you for the detailed blog and stunning photos. This is indeed a dream come true trip for anyone! I would love to win this prize and give it to my elderly parents. My father just celebrated his 74th birthday and he would love to go on this trip as he struggles to drive very far after two hip replacements. Fingers crossed that I win!

This item has been in my busket list for such a long time! Would really be a once in a life time experience that I’d love to share with my guy! Your amazing post and stunning photos have made me want to do this trip even more!

I would take my mom, it is a lifetime dream of hers to go on the Rovos and it would be such a special memory to be able to share this adventure with her. She has worked so hard to provide for me all her life and it would mean so much to be able to give her a little something special back.

I would love to take my hubby, Struan, for a trip on the Rovos rail- a trip my folks did and raved about! Baby number two arrives in the next week or two and life will be hectic for a few months- would so love some time out together in such luxury xx

This would be such a perfect trip to share with my husband, who is generally the most supportive, generous and fun-loving person I’ve ever met . I can already see us taking this in April next year:
1. April is our anniversary month – 4 wonderful years 5 April 2018
2. We were planning to travel to Gauteng in April next year for my father in law’s 60th, so why not arrive in style?
Amazing giveaway.

Would LOVE some quality one-on-one time with my husband, Geoff. We don’t get a lot of it. We have 3 daughters (10, 3 and 1), work full-time and both studying part-time next year. This would be epic, a great opportunity to tick it off the bucketlist and a MUCH nicer experience when compared to our last train trip together – an overnight train in Vietnam sharing with 3 strangers.

I was still very little, probably not even in school yet; when my aunt and uncle came to visit us from The Netherlands. Part of their trip to SA was to go on the Rovos Rail from Pretoria to Cape Town and I was lucky enough to go with my parents to drop them off at the station. We were allowed to go onto the train to have a brief look prior to departure; I was too young to truly understand what the adults were “ooh-ing and aah-ing” about but the sheer magic of being on such a beautiful train stuck in my mind. Fast forward quite a few years and my game ranger husband and I worked at a lodge adjacent to the Kruger Park, where we would host Rovos Rail guests spending the night on one of their trips going up North in Africa, yet again so close to the magic that is Rovos Rail. For this reason, should I win this prize I will take my husband with me; to fulfil a childhood dream of going on a train trip, but not just any train trip – a trip on the Rovos Rail with my best friend and soulmate!

I’d definitely take my sister on this trip. I left SA shortly before she turned 21 and it was a big knock for us both, almost like I’d left her hanging on the brink of adulthood to figure it all out by herself. And she did. Next January she turns 25 and just as I’ve returned home she’s setting off to work in USA which means this would be the first-cum-last birthday of hers that we’d celebrate together for a long while, if ever. Making this a milestone in both our lives would be the greatest gift I could ever give her and one that would make up for all special occasions that I’m always missing out on.

This would be the ultimate #baecation! My Dutch boyfriend and I were planning to take the scenic route back from CPT this past winter but with our student budgets we could only afford the normal train tickets so opted to sadly fly back! Winning this would make me the best long distance girlfriend on his trip to SA, not forgetting how Instagram worthy and bloggable the trip will be:)

I’m freshly divorced so still on the waiting list for my perfect partner to accompany me on this once of a lifetime trip. My parents enjoyed the same experience for my Father’s 70th birthday last year and having spent 40 years together, I could only want to do the same with my perfect partner, the one I haven’t met yet but I envision doing so before April 2018 in time to whisk him away on this idilic journey.

Wow, this is incredible!!! This has always been on my bucket list, but I think I’d have to send my Mom and my Dad in my place – it’s my Dad’s 60th Birthday in December and they have ALWAYS dreamed of going on the Rovos Rail. What an incredible spoil this would be for the old ducks!! :)
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make me the best daughter in the world!

What an amazing prize! Would be an incredible experience. I remember my friend’s dad told me once that he would love to travel on the RovosRail one day. He made it soumd incredible. I didn’t know much about it. After googling it, I added it to my bucket list! I followed your insta posts and made me want to move it up on my bucketlist. Just last night on Wedding Bashers, the couple got married on the platform and had the reception on the Rovos Rail. Looked stunning!
Great photos and blogpost by the way!
Would really love to experience this adventure with my friend Ricardo, who also has an adventurous spirit. Haven’t seen him in so long. This would be a great catch up session.

I’m a train fanatic. My American wife is a South African fenatic. And this would be the most perfect gift to her as a ‘push present’ for just giving birth to our little girl. Proudly South African, and proud to show off our country to my wife.

What a magic giveaway! Train travel is my absolute favourite for the same reasons you describe in your post and in fact is always one of my highlights when traveling in Europe. It would be a dream to use this prize to celebrate my husbands 40th birthday next year as he much prefers an intimate celebration vs a big party and this would hit all the right notes. Here’s hoping ?? x

Misha, as this is a once-in-a-life-time gift I would with out a doubt wish to enter but if I am the lucky one to won! This price will go to my dear parents Marie and Steve Procter!! This won’t be enough in value to say “thank you” to two of the best buddies, we have but surely give them both an indication how dear and loved they are!!

Umm….yes please! Bucket list stuff, I’ve loved trains since the day I landed on planet Earth and this little trip would certainly mark a high point in my lifelong quest to ride as many as possible in as many randomly exotic locations as possible. No question my partner in crime would be my superstar wife and mom of our little 1 year old chaos maker, she would absolutely love this, and totally deserves it…though, having read the other comments, so do so many of your readers…

I would love to win this trip. My husband and I are seperated and if I could get the chance to take him on a romantic getaway to show him why we fell inlove in the 1st place, I would be truly blessed. He is the biggest adventurer and he would totally freak out.

My husband is the most hard working man on this planet. As he works 7 days a week, where most people his age are retired, we did’nt even get to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. Winning this prize would be such an amazing treat to surprise him with!

If I win, and I cross my fingers and toes I do, I would take my wife Susan. We both share a passion for food and stunning scenery and new experiences. And my guess is this would be a once in a lifetime experience!!!

What a dream come true! It is definitely one of the bucket list when traveling in South Africa. I would really love to take my mom with to this trip. Finally she is finally retired and she deserved to be spoilt. And travel with her heart content! She hardly travel much when I was younger because she works so hard to raising us up. Really want to give a special gift and treat her like a queen!

I would absolutely die to win this trip! I would go with my partner in crime, Greg, and I would make sure we went over our 2 year anniversary next year (how amazing would that be?!) I couldn’t think of a more picturesque way to spend time with someone I love!

My husband and I saw a Rovos rail train stopped at Lions River in KZN and asked if we could take a sneak peak onboard which we were granted… OH MY GOLLY…I just want to go choo chooing along in a Rovos train with hubby… Mark Werschlein xxx

Winning this would be a bucket-list dream come true! I would take my partner-in-crime/living, breathing teddy bear/love of my life Richard with me. We love to live a life of adventure and this would certainly be an epic adventure of a lifetime!

I met my boyfriend in a bar in Mozambique directly after he had stabbed someone for trying to steal his wallet…..

Ok that’s a lie but I’m sure it got your attention?

My birthday was on the 23rd September and my boyfriend gave me best birthday surprise of my life and proposed to me! I had no idea! He pulled it off and it was honestly the best day as I had all my closest friends with me for the weekend to celebrate my birthday, and now also our engagement! Eeeeeek.

In the week to follow we each briefly touched on where/when we would like to get married and he mentioned he would love to get married on the Rovos Rail with all of our friends and family with us. It is obviously not possible as that would be a rather pricey excursion and we would probably be left eating beans on toast for the rest of our days, but it was a novel and thrilling thought while it lasted! So basically, it would be the GREATEST surprise to be able to take him on the Rovos rail, just us, and have an incredible time together!

Hi Brandslut & Rovos, I would like this opportunity to bless my Gran who is turning 80 next year Jan ( you wont say that though she looks fab) & my Aunt they are the most selfless people I know. If i had to win i would love to forfeit my place so that they can go on perhaps the last epic adventure together on one of their most desired trips on the Rovos Rail ?

Oooooh this is the most exciting prize ever. My partner in crime would be hubby, Dean. Aaaah we would love the little snippet of the really really good life and to wallow in the luxury of Rovos Rail. And we do love food so we’ve got that covered too, I’ll pack the smart skirt with a little stretch :) This trip is something we have dreamt about for a long time, so holding thumbs and all the other fingers too.

When I was 19 I visited India and travelled so much of that incredible country by train, every morning the train was awoken by the chai wallah calling chai garam chai down the passage. This remains one my favourite travel memories. As we get married next year I would love to experience a train trip with my love, especially through his beloved Karoo. It would make a magical honeymoon.

I will obviously be taking my better half/partner in crime/ looney boyfriend with ? he used to take the train from JHB to midlands when he was a youngster to school. I’d love to show him what an actual real deal train trip is like! I went on the RR once for a function but just a dinner trip. Out of this world. Would kill to be able to do the CT leg! Must be an incredible experience! #bucketlist

Oh this competition!!! I am super excited. I have ALWAYS wanted to take a trip on Rovos Rail and have been following them for a while. I will be taking my partner in crime, best friend and the most amazing person on the planet, my partner Conrad. This guy has changed my life over the last 10 years, and we love doing life and all it’s adventures together. I love that we are proudly South African and that Rovos Rail is the best that our beautiful country has to offer.

I grew up taking the train from Southern California to Oregon every summer to visit family. I always loved making new friends, looking out the windows and just traveling a different way. My love for trains has not diminished over the years as I continue to wander on them. If I won this trip I would take my boyfriend. We met last year when we became Peace Corps Volunteer teachers in Namibia. We have looked at traveling by train before in Namibia and haven’t gotten the chance. This would be the perfect train trip to do on a school holiday or before we finish our two years of service next year!

As much as I would absolutely LOVE and I mean LOVE to win this trip with my husband, I know two people would love it even more. For as long as I can remember Rovos Rail has been my dad’s bucket list holiday and both him and my mom are turning 60 next year, this would be the most incredible birthday present ever! Keeping fingers crossed!

I would definitely be taking my hubby, as next year 02 September will be our 1st year wedding anniversary – this is pretty much meant to be! It would be the perfect intimate, and romantic reflection time on our 1st year together.

Oh wow! What an amazing prize! I too have childhood memories of train rides, my family would travel by train from pietermaritzburg to Cape Town to visit family for Christmas. Two days and two nights on the train and a million wonderful family memories!! I would love to win this prize and make some new train memories ? I would take along my boyfriend Hank ❤️

I would take my fiancé Suhail on this once in a lifetime adventure. We’re planning our big day for spring next year so this getaway would be oh so perfect as a local honeymoon. All fingers (and toes) are crossed :)!

Never have I wanted to win a competition so bad! I dream about inviting my loved one, Martin, on this once-in-a-lifetime trip, so we could meet on the dream train in Africa. We will soon see ourselves live 1000’s km’s from each other because of my expatriation with my employer. This would without a doubt be the most romantic experience we have ever shared. And if we win, who would know what could happen next? ?? Thanks to Rovos Rail and you, Brandslut, for this amazing opportunity!

I would take my Dad.
We lost my Mom a month ago. My Dad turns 82 in October. It would be a once in a lifetime opportunity- being on the amazing train on this awesome route, seeing the beautiful country, travelling in style and spending quality time with my special Dad. ❤️

My hubcap is started a business & it’s been pretty consuming, so we didn’t manage to get away for our 10th Anniversary this year. A Rovos Adventure for 2 (with a bit of grandparent time for our spawn) would be an amazing time for us to take a breath & reconnect!
K

I would love to take my partner of 8 years (boyfriend sounds way too silly after so much time together!) on this once in a lifetime trip.
I am in love with trainrides, having also travelled by train from Jhb to PE as a young girl, and we have never had the opportunity or means to be able to share such an experience together.
With all that we have been going through recently, winning this trip would do wonders for us. Fingers and toes crossed!

This is actually a trip I’ve always wanted to take! ever since seeing this train on a school outing my heart breaks a little every time I see someone I know taking this trip! I’m getting married next year and planning a western Cape honeymoon so this would be a perfect way to end the most romantic holiday EVER!!!

My mom and her sister live on opposite sides of the country. Though they are very close, they don’t get to spend much time together because of financial and health difficulties. It would make me so happy to be able to send them on this trip, for them to connect and enjoy some peaceful time together. They are two of the most generous people I know, and deserve to be totally spoilt!

I actually once applied for a job with Rovos Rail because I was so desperate to go on it. I ended up moving to London but it’s been in my heart all these years. I’ve been following Rovos on twitter & Instagram for ages from my twitter 9th Avenue Bistro acc & Insta Boiler Room acc as I just love the opulence & romance of the Trains.
I’d obvs love to take my hubby as In April it’s our 9 year anniversary & he deserves a medal for putting up with me ?

I would like to treat my soulmate, we love travelling and with a train trip, which is something else and it is always special to do it toegether. We love people, and to gather together with them, by enjoying all the scenery and lovely landscapes in South Africa.

I always wanted to experience traveling long distance by train it always seems so peaceful and relaxing. I would like love to experience this with my boyfriend Romeo this would be the best 3year anniversary gift. Thank you for giving us such a amazing opportunity to win such a great prize

I am getting married to my best friend in a couple months and I think it would be very symbolic going on an adventure like this to start off a lifelong partnership with her. Both of us work very hectic hours and finding quality time nowadays is difficult. This would just start us off on the perfect footing.

I would take the person who rocked my world this year and I have found love with. It’s been a roller coaster year and he’s been traveling for work a lot. Would be nice to have just the two of us on a weekend of no diy, running, functions etc.

It is my mom’s 60th birthday in November and she is one of the most wonderful most important people in my life. She has always been the my rock, total support and unconditional love in my life and so its incredibly important for me to find an incredible gift for to show her how much she is loved too. Her dream has always been to go on the beautiful Rovos Rail and is why we would love to enter this comp x

This would be a dream come true and the perfect way to celebrate our one year wedding anniversary and 30th birthday getaway! What an awesome adventure it would be! Wouldn’t want to go on such an amazing trip without my darling husband!

Wow ! This is so generous of u …U are such a kind soul….. If I won I wud definate;y take my spouse of 13 years…. He has recently being diagnosed with a medical condition , so this would be so ideal to just get away and destress :)

Like you, I too can’t resist the rock and lull of a train ride. This particular train trip is on my partner and I’s wishlist. We recently moved from the hub of Gauteng to the coast, and vowed to explore and discover all of the places and activities we haven’t always felt we had the time to experience. I just know he’d absolutely LOVE it and can only imagine how amazing the memories we’d make there would be.

A phenomenal way to see South Africa,sitting in absolute luxury gazing out of the train window.A trip like this has always been on my bucket list,together with my husband.It would be a 40th wedding anniversary gift of our dreams.

I would love to do this with my partner in crime/love of my life/husband. We’ve had a crazy last 3 years including difficult pregnancy, sleepless baby/renovating a new house/starting a new business/sleepless toddler and a fair amount of illness thrown in. A treat like this would really give us time to reconnect and unwind a tad (and leave said sleepless toddler with granny overnight for the first time ever)

I would take Benjamin, my fabulous and hilarious husband of exactly one month on this adventure.

Today is actually our one month wedding anniversary! We haven’t been on honeymoon bar a one night stay in a hotel where we got stuck in the lift in our bath robes and had to get crow-barred out!

This trip would be an awesome “take two” mini-moon for us. In addition, I haven’t yet said my wedding speech because I was too nervous on the day. The train would be the perfect opportunity to indulge in too much bubbly and tell Ben exactly what I wanted to tell him a month ago. We would laugh the entire trip and I honestly couldn’t think of anything better in life right now than that!

Would love to do this! I owe hubby for always looking after the toddlers when I am away for work! But I will take @Brandslut too if it means I get to do the trip! Ultimately, I really want to experience it first hand as I sell it to US market.
ps, agree with Jodi on the dress! Wow! Can we win that too (-;

I owe hubby for always looking after the toddlers when I am away for work! But I will take @Brandslut too if it means I get to do the trip! Ultimately, I really want to experience it first hand as I sell it to US market.
ps, agree with Jodi on the dress! Wow! Can we win that too (-;

Today, 3 Oct is my Dearest’s 60th birthday so it’s serendipitous that I enter the competition. He makes me shine and I’d like to do something special for him in return. What a wonderful way to repay his kindness, live and generosity.

Today, 3 Oct is my Dearest’s 60th birthday so it’s serendipitous that I enter the competition. He makes me shine and I’d like to do something special for him in return. What a wonderful way to repay his kindness, love and generosity.

I would take my wonderful husband. I mean… how romantic does this trip sound! Our lives are pretty crazy with three kids and our own businesses. So yes, a trip on a romantic train sounds like the ultimate escape.

Ahhh… my better half – slash – partner in crime would never forgive me if i hijacked the rail without him. Yup, Garth will, without a shaddow of a doubt, be my red wine clinking, paparazzi ‘snapping the scenery as we sail past’ partner! What an incredible treat a trip like this would be. Road tripping is what we do, and how wonderful it will be not to have to drive, on the lookout for potholes and cows for a change. To both relax and really enjoy a chillout at the same time – that would be a first! ?? ?

Hi! It seems crazy to read this blog now as we were just discussing over dinner, with our three little girls, how we long to travel by train one day and share the experience with them. My husband has dreamt of a train trip like this for years and it would be the most amazing gift to win! Thank you for your beautiful blog!

How amazing does this trip sound. So romantic and special. If I win this fantastic treat of a prize I would send my mom and dad. They have taken my sister and I on adventures our whole lives, they definitely deserve something special.

I would definitely take Mr Bird, after year 1 of parenting we literally have not had a single moment to ourselves ( my child literally climbed into the shower with us this morning!) . It has been a dream of mine to go on the train since I was a child, we visited the Rovos rail station when we were at school and i always said I wanted to go on honeymoon in the fancy train!

Thanks for the wonderful competition! We would love to enter and experience th journet through our country. The first thought I got was the famous Wes Anderson movie, The Darjeeling Limited. The romance, adventure and the characters made it for me…obviously the train too! We spent 2 weeks in Sri Lanka last year and traveled by train to our destinations. It was a beautiful journey and one I would love to have in South Africa. I would take my wife, Lesley-Anne as she is my travelling buddy, partner in crime and can take incredible photos.

I would definitely take my best friend and husband with. I remember my mom, gran, sister and myself travelling to East London when I was very little. The sound of the train while we were sleeping (I absolutely adore it) turning the bunks into beds, seeing the landscape fly by. What a beautiful memory. I have always been hoping to travel by train again, never though even daring to think by Rovos Rail! I would absolutely love to share a decadent, opulent, trip of a lifetime version of that memory with my husband.

Thanks for the wonderful competition! We would love to enter and experience th journet through our country. The first thought I got was the famous Wes Anderson movie, The Darjeeling Limited. The romance, adventure and the characters made it for me…obviously the train too! We spent 2 weeks in Sri Lanka last year and traveled by train to our destinations. It was a beautiful journey and one I would love to have in South Africa. I would take my wife, Lesley-Anne as she is my travelling buddy, partner in crime and can take incredible photos.

I used to work on Rovos Rail in 1994 – just after I finished varsity – back when it was a fairly new and unchartered adventure. I voted for the first time in our first democratic elections whilst working for Rovos – we stopped the train in Kimberley so all the staff could go off and vote on that beautiful day! I would love to revisit it as a guest and reminisce on those days! I would take my mom, Wendy, who heard so much about my utterly crazy hardworking Southern African adventures but I don’t think ever set foot in one of the beautiful carriages.
Here’s hoping!!!
Suzanne

I would love to take my husband on this trip, because we always dreamed about going on a train trip.
It was our 20th wedding anniversary on 13 September and we wanted to do something nice, but things did not worked out like we planned.
So this will be a belated 20th second honeymoon.

I would love to surprise my husband with this prize! We wanted to do one of the Rovos trips for our 10th anniversary. Unfortunately hubby was retrenched and we could not afford to go. 15 years later and we still have not been!

I would love to take my husband with me to share this magical experience. I also grew up going on annual holidays by train and can still remember falling asleep to the “clickety clack” of the train wheels on the track. I would truly love to experience this again.

I’d take my Mom. Her last overnight train trip through Africa was with my Dad who sadly is longer with us It would be wonderful to be able to treat her to new travel memories (although she did commute by train to school in Bulawayo many eons ago)!

What an amazing picture that you painted for us!! I will celebrate my 40th birthday in April 2018, and if I am the lucky one to win this awesome prize, I will take my daughter with me as she will also be celebrating her 19th birthday in April 2018. This would be an amazing birthday gift to both of us.

Hubby loves everything about trains. He has treasured his very first train set for 55 years and I can just imagine what his reaction would be if I can surprise him with an “All Aboard!” for his 56th birthday next year! What a fantastic once-in-a-lifetime treat this will be!

For once in my life I would love to take my husband of 17 years and whisk him away on a magical adventure, he always does special things for me so it’s time to give back, in all of our marriage he has stood by my side in all my sickeness and ill health, having gone through multiple fertility treatments and living with a double slipped disc is no easy walk for me, I would love to experience this holiday on train, hubby and I have always dreamed of it, we put life on hold for something that was never meant to be and now is the time for us to live again.

Oh my what a opportunity!!!! My husband and I just love traveling, have been married 23 years and really would love this opportunity to rekindle our relationship and spend some quality time together. It will also be his 50 th birthday in 2018 so I would love to treat him to this trip.

The love of my life has never been to Cape Town, and this trip on the world renowned Rovos Rail would be the ultimate surprise. We are separated by distance but madly in love with each other, and am looking forward to start a life together as soon as circumstances allow it to happen.

I have always loved trains, growing up in a small Eastern Cape town I used to watch the trains pass by our house transporting goods and passengers.

This trip would be an awesome contribution towards creating memories with my Love.

Omigosh, I never knew this train existed! This sounds like an amzing trip and I would share it with husband. We met when we were 19 – in a pub in Observatory….many (MANY!) years later and he is my best friend and everything and I would love to share this advencture with him!

After a hectic year of me quitting my job and moving to be closer to my fiance, and him taking care of me the past few months, I finally found a job I love! Therefore I would like to be the one to spoil him for once and to thank him for all he’s done to make me feel super special in a hectic time!

Oh please please can I take my husband on this bucket list adventure! I cant imagine many things more romantic than 2 days on a train through our beautiful countryside, amazing food and wine, taking a million photographs from the windows and falling asleep to movements of the train.

I would take my fiancé, who is my partner in life and love – this would be an extra special gift as we love food and travel in no particular order, and it’s significant because we are getting married next year and this would be an epic journey to start our married life on.

My first train ride experience was my mom insisting on a Jozi – Durban metrorail ‘first class’ trip. Coming from Zim, what did we know! It wasn’t quite the first class we’d hoped for but there was still something magical about the starched white linen, polished wooden cabins and the lull & rythemic rock of the train. I would love to take Mom on truly first class train experience. Here’s hoping!

Def take my travel buddy aka my husband.
We are big travel enthusiasts ( we work soley to travel ?) and I think back of fond memories/disasters weve had on trains overseas. Numerous card games were played, luggage hauled in at the last second, catching the train by the skin of our teeth and feeling relaxed as we marvel at the scenery.

Never explored SA by train so this would be the best trip to start at and a very relaxing one!

Oh wow, my dream come true. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Hmm. . . do I have to choose my partner in crime right away? Be sure; one lucky fish will get to join me on this epic adventure should the stars line up…

My mom is on her way here next year,first time in fourteen years,I’m beyond excited,this will be a fabulous way to spend some time together as well as see some beautiful sites,I’m an avid train adventurer too,so right up my alley,a great mom and daughter bonding experience,because making memories with your parents,never gets old…

I’ll take my partner-in-crime, husband, fellow adventurer, Joos. We’ve been married for almost a year and half. I would love to spoil him with a trip such as this for our second anniversary in May next year.

My partner in crime is my wife! We have been married 4 years now and have been in each other lives longer then we have not been! =D Meaning we have been in each others lives for more than 15 years now. We have an amazing little 2 year old… but I am sure as most parents know, getting away does not happen often, and when it does it needs to be a trip of a life time!!!! Crossing my fingers!

I would take my husband, we celebrate 34 years of marriage next month. Unexpected health crisis, emptynest and family bereavement have forced me to want to spend more time with him. AND he has always wanted to travel on Rovos rail, he has the photography equipment and travel bags ready, just need the tickets! Rovos epitomises the romance and elegance of travel of a bygone era!

Thank you so much for sharing your story. Wow what an experience! I would love to experience it too with my husband. Its always been a dream of mine to travel on Rovos Rail & the only way that dream will come true is if I win a trip :)

What an AMAZING giveaway. This is an absolute bucket list trip for hubby and I. Our little guy is almost 5 so would be most envious if (when!) we win this ;-) but it would be a very special break for the 2 of us.
I also LOVE your dress. Please share the find! Fingers crossed and thanks for always sharing the most inspiring travel adventures.

My darling parents would be my recipients – they have funded me through thick and thin and at the ripe old age of 27 they provide me with all the emotional support a girl could need. It would be such a honour to gift them an adventure like this.

I would take my husband James, we’re having our first baby in January so this would provide a much needed break from what I presume will be a chaotic time!! Can’t think of a better way to reconnect than on the Rovos Rail.

I would love to take Philip and get out of Grahamstown. I have had pulmonary embolism clots in my lungs and mumps. Give me this fantastic once in a lifetime opportunity to celebrate life and turning 30. You only live once. #BrandslutXRovosRail

I am filled with a sense of nostalgic old world meets new world that hint of romance and a chance encounter of a time once forgotten and rediscovered on the journey that Rovos Rail takes you on to see South Africa through a different view while being in a luxurious setting. Enjoying the Wanderlust of muchness. #BrandslutXRovosRail

This has been on our to do list for years! I would love to take my partner so he could capture the changing light over the passing landscape – he’s a photographer. Next year will mark 17 years together and this would be a wonderful way to celebrate.

This trip would be perfect for my husband DK and I. I love travel and food, and he loves trains and travel (but not flying!). He has, in fact, had a love of trains since he was a young boy and listened to his cousins lps of different train sounds. And that cousins brother was a train conductor, so it seems to be in his blood and he would love it. I would mostly be there for him, the food, and the dress-up ;)

My maternal grandfather worked on the Blue Train as a railway carriage fitter since he was a teenager and in 1946 until 1966 on the train itself. He left to be closer to the family as the Blue Train was running to far off places like Victoria Falls and was away most of the year.

In that time he could not possibly afford to take the family on trip on the Blue Train and also the legislation of the day would not allow a coloured family to travel on the train. I would love to take my mother on a luxury train journey so she can experience first-hand what her father described to them whenever he would return home.

While my grandfather was working on the Blue Train and my grandmother was working in a textile factory, my mother basically raised her five other siblings, today only her and my youngest Uncle survive. If I could transfer the prize and send the two of them I would do it in a heartbeat. I am in a similar position to my grandfather in that I can’t afford to send them on luxury train ride. So I have to grab this opportunity, cross all my fingers and toes and hope granddad can grant me some luck.

This would be such a spoil for my husband and I to celebrate making it through our first year as parents while the grandparents enjoy some time with their granddaughter. The length of the trip would be perfect because I don’t think we could bear to be away from our little girl any longer than that. :)

i would take my husband to be, I want to show him nothing but the best and perfect way a couple should be, and with this trip not only would we be making our dreams come true, but having the best memory to go back on and smile about.

This is incredible. This is my husbands dream trip. We have both been wanting to catch the train to Maitjiesfontein. This would be a birthday surprise of epic proportions for Stuart. What a dream of a break, old world charm with gorgeous views. What a beautiful post about this once in a lifetime trip and congratulations on your bump. Happy Friday.

This is definitely something my Husband and I would do. We love dressing up and dining, playing board games (scrabble esp – i know we old school but we a young couple) and mingling with the crowd. This experience will definitely differ from our Bali trips and weekend away.

My heart speaks travel like my mouth speaks South African! I’d love to take my daughter @Raeygan on this Rovos Rail trip. Our age gap is relatively small – I am 47, Raeygan is 26 – so we are very close and in addition to an unshakable bond, we share an absolute passion for travel and adventure. Distance keeps us apart though – she lives in Cape Town and I live in Ballito – we don’t get a lot of quality time together. #BrandslutXRovosRail

This is such a cool giveaway! I will take my friend Liesl who has been working so crazy hard to achieve her dreams and who inspires everyone around her. It will be such a great adventure and we will get to photograph (we’re both amateur photographers) so much of our beautiful country. :)

Hey there Misha
Wow, what an incredible review. This December is my parents 40th wedding anniversary, and a luxury train trip through our country has been on my dad’s bucket-list for many years, but remained beyond reach. I would love to be able to surprise them with this trip of a lifetime in celebration of their love for each other and oir family. On the off chance that they might win the prize, I will not be entering the competition on social media in order to keep it a surprise.
Happy journeys and looking forward to your next review
Ruan

Rovos Rail has been my husband’s dream from the day I met him 15 years ago. It would be just incredible if I could surprise him with this trip! He works incredibly hard for his family and always puts everyone else first. Think he has actually forgotten how to spoil himself!

What a fantastic prize on offer, which I would dearly like to win. Have always wanted to do this journey. I will take my husband Cliff – we have both recently retired and this would be a lovely way for us to start the next phase of our lives

I would love to take my Mom on this amazing trip! She has recently retired after 44 years and hasn’t had the opportunity to travel or experience such luxurious trips. She gave up a lot for us and this would be an amazing way to spoil her!

I would take my mom Joey with me. She worked with my in our business until the age of 80years and 4months before she became ill and retired. Her and I worked 7days a week. She never had the opportunity to “go” on pension at pension age 60 and travel. So if we win I would love to spoil her to this trip and let her feel like royalty ..she always also talks about her young years when train journeys as public transport was good and safe. .however she has always dreamt of a train holiday.

In 2009, the year I met my husband Travis, he wrote a bucket list, tucked it away safely in a drawer and forgot about it. Fast forward 2017 and we found the list. Unbeknown to him he has already achieved a great deal – Comrades marathon (3 times), Cape Epic, Iron Man (7 times) . London marathon, NY marathon, Toyko marathon and Berlin marathon…as we speak he is on a plane to Chicago for the Chicago marathon. Everest and Kilimanjaro are on the list too! I am so proud of his achievements thus far.

My list (in my head) is a little more girlie…get married, have babies (we were blessed with twins)… travel more of our beautiful country.

Travis has taught me to be more spontaneous and the love to travel.

Top of both our travel lists is a train trip! Neither of us have done one and I would love to experience this with my adventure partner. Bucket list tick for sure !!!!

As I turn 30 on the 11th of November, I would love to experience a trip on the rovos rail. A trip my mom and I have always dreamed about. When I was a little girl she would read me stories about journeys on trains and that’s where our love affair with rail transport began.

I’d love to take my husband on this trip for a belated 30th birthday present! We’re expecting a baby girl over the time of his birthday this year – very exciting! :) -, so taking some time on a trip like this just for the two of us would be wonderful in a couple of months!

I’d love to take my SO on this amazing trip for my 30th in May. Every year we’ve been married his had to work on either of birthdays and we’ve never got to celebrate properly. 2018 will be a Saturday and we’ve finally going to get to spend that time yay.

Recently my husband and I took the good old normal Metrotrain to Matjiesfontein. Bviouslu not even a little match for the magnifecen Rovos. We wereballowed to have a peak at the Rovos and immediately decided we need so somewhere in our life board this train!! After 10 hour delays and overnighting on Cape Town station as the train arrived at 02:00 am I think that the Rovos would be a very welcome alternative to our next train ride:)

This trip looks BREATHTAKING! We’re so quick to book holidays overseas, but I love the idea of getting to experience our own beautiful country in a totally different and unusual way – major bucket list item for me right now!
As for who I’d take with – well, it’s a bit of a no brainer XP With less than two months to go to our ‘big day’, this incredible trip would make the PERFECT honeymoon for my beau and I! Fingers and toes crossed!

I would love to take my mom on this trip. I remember going on a train journey from Joburg to Cape Town when I was in primary school and it was all so magical – the dining car, the benches that transformed into beds at night. I just loved it. We still reminisce about it to this day and I would love to spoil her with another trip (only much fancier of course).

I would take my fiancé on this once in a lifetime experience. He has been studying at Stellenbosch for the past four years, and we have been doing long distance from the start as I live in PE. He graduates at the end of this year, and I cannot think of a better way to ‘restart’ our lives together than with this romantic trip. He definitely deserves it!

This has been on my bucket list for years! Who to take with me? Easy peasy. My big sister. I could right paragraphs on why, but I’ll try to be brief. She’s an amazing wife and a loving mother to my nephew and niece, works hard to support the family, just completed her studies trying to better herself and therby, the lives of her family. As most mothers, she is selfless, she always comes last. With all that she does and is, she still manages to be my support. She is not only my sister, she is my best friend, and my life would be empty without her. I would love nothing more than to spoil her with a once in a lifetime opportunity like this. She deserves a little getaway….after all, she has to put up with me….

Having grown up in a family of 3 girls, we went on all our holidays by train. My dad worked for the SA Railways. I always enjoyed going on the train. All the way to Rhodesia and the Victoria Falls, via what used to be Bechuanaland [Botswana], stopping along the way at places named Shashi, etc.
I also remember a trip to East London from Durban in the middle of Summer when the power went off and the train was marooned halfway between nowhere and somewhere. It was just before lunch time so you can imagine the chefs were pulling their hair out, trying to feed a train load of people, supplying enough ice to cool everyone down. We waited about 3 hours for a steam engine to come out from Cathcart to tow us in. Very funny for us children but not so nice for the adults and all the staff.
April 2017 will be our 48th wedding anniversary and I would dearly luv to surprise my husband with a trip like this.
We have friends and family in Cape Town that we haven’t seen for some time as we just can’t afford it.

a trip on rovos rail is the one thing that i always wanted to do for myself. the magic of old world travel, the scenery that would be like a ongoing movie, the gastranomic delights, it would be the perfect celebration of 30 years of marriage. so my husband would be my choice of travel companion.

Ridiculously awesome prize Mish & Rovos Rail; I would take my ultimate travel partner, Schalk. Departing on a Saturday morning from Cape Town would equate to the ultimate #vanwykSunday on board & would love to sync with my birthday in May – a girl can dream! Fingers crossed x

I would definitely take my hubby. He deserves a total getaway. He is also the kindest person I know and I would love to return his kindness with a wonderful romanti surprise like this trip. It wouls be a dream come true.

For as long as I can remember it has been a dream of mine to take a luxurious train trip to nowhere or even somewhere, but anywhere if it meant my dream could become a reality. My husband and I lead such fast paced careers that this would be the ultimate prize in the most amazing and relaxing experience ever.

I have a dream to travel on this amazing journey in luxury with my husband. Sadly he went on a journey across the river to the other side eleven years ago. The only other person I would take is my daughter. She has been my friend advisor financial support housing manager life planner companion and we would have such a blast on Rovos Rail together. Sipping cocktails laughing enjoying a wonderful time together. The best Thank You gift I could ever give to this wonderful caring girl.

Why is everyone in the dining hall wearing checked shirts? Did you also notice that?

…..I would take the incredible Joy Rosario of course. Because Moms. Bless. She really has this romantic thing for trains. And unlike you, I think I would sleep like a log, white noise FTW. Seriously though @Brandslut, Joy is the hardest working person I know – she’s still working in her retirement – building course materials for educators. And I’d love to give her and experience with her this sort of luxurious escape. Also it is her birthday on Monday 9th October. xx

My partner and I decided 2 years ago that we were one day going to take the Rovos Rail and do a trip. Well, life has caught up with us, and we haven’t had the time (or budget) to get on board just yet. This would be a definite reason to go, to do it, no excuses. Some much needed time out!

Omw! Such a cool prize I would totally share with my better half! We’ve used many means of transportation together: plane, foot, horse, tuk yuk, taxi, hitchhike, sail… But a train?? That’s still in our checklist and this would be an awesome experience to share with him!

Would love nothing more than for us to experience our beautiful country by rail! Being parents to two (almost three!) kiddies we have had to put holidays on hold for a while… this being the perfect amount of time away from parenting responsibilities and to see more of the country we love!

I would love the opportunity to go with my best friend. We often go on adventures together and this trip would make one for the story books. We push each other to try new things around South Africa. This journey seems made for us!

I’d love to take my mom with me. Of course everyone believes that their mon is the best but mine is truly up their on the wall of honour. She is selfless, gives and gives and then gives some more, she is my biggest cheerleader and she works incredibly hard at an old age home to further give and help. She deserves a treat

My goodness, this sounds like a trip of a lifetime. My best friend and I have been longing to see our country by train and sadly just can’t afford to go on the Rovos Rail. It would be amazing to share this experience with her!

This is such a great prize! I live traveling and just making incredible memories. I’m a bit torn on who to take on this trip. On the one hand, this will be a great anniversary gift for my boyfriend. But this is also a prize that my parents would love! Please pick me for this great prize! Whoever I end up choosing, I know they will love this ?

I would like to send my parents- is that allowed? They love travel and love SA so much that they considered becoming tour guides when they retired. My mom is about to turn 70 and my dad 76, and they are still to fully retire so maybe that willl still happen. They’ve taken the Blue Train to Matjiesfontein for a weekend and love the bullet trains in Europe but gave never experienced Rovos Rail.

Awesome trip! I would take my husband and with – we have been together for almost 10 years, and the April 2018 will be the 10th anniversary of being together :-) we love traveling and always marvel on how beautiful South Africa is!

Would be a great 24 year anniversary. My son informed us last week his getting married next year and therefor my bonus must be used for that. Would be great to have this awesome experience. The day i met my husband i knew he is the one and i still feel the same. Please could we be so lucky

I would absolutely love to win this trip, as my man and I are finally getting married in April next year, aftet 6 years together. He’s 71 and I’m 57, and it’s taken us this long to finally meet our soulmate. This trip would mean so much to us, as Burton spent his childhood holidays on a farm in the Karoo. It looks like the most wonderful experience and a great way to see South Africa.

I would take my hubby, Wiann! We have recently had a baby girl, which has been such a special time but, time spent as a couple has taken a bit of a back seat! Would love to reconnect with him and what better way than on a train exploring our magnificent country bit by bit—

Should I win, I will be taking my fiancé, Raymond, along. We’ve both been divorced for 23 yrs, & feel like we’ve been given a 2nd chance at finding a companion. We’ve both lost our parents, both been thru a horrific relationship & a couple of hardships. He has survived the big C, & other life-threatening conditions. It’s like we just crossed each other’s paths at the right time, been together for 7.5 years now. #BrandslutXRovosRail

I will definitely take my husband Vincent. Reason for taking him is as a police sergeant he went to SAPS college in Pretoria and travelled by train back and forth, it would be the ultimate treat for him serving his community and country to go back with his wife of a magical 10 years in style and luxury and we can then explore Pretoria together and see if it had changed. I also wanted to book this magical trip when single but that day I put traveling on a hold when the twin towers fell in US. Love to win this.

Will enjoy the trip with my husband and take it as our honeymoon. We haven’t had one yet because both children came quickly one after another. A short trip like this will be perfect as we don’t have the luxury to leave the little ones with somebody for too long!

I’d love to take my mom on this incredible trip.
Diagnosed in 2014 with breast cancer and continuing to fight the dreaded disease daily. She loves traveling around South Africa and she would truelly appreciate this incredible prize. It’s her birthday in November and what a great birthday gift this would be to give her. We take no day for granted and hopefully her and I can enjoy this together

No parents, no partner in crime, no kids — BUT I would take my ONLY brother along so that we can both enjoy a train ride since we were lastly in the train moons ago. This would bring back all the family memories we once had!!

Oh my hat… I could not imagine a more romantic experience than a train trip. It’s not something one would normally do in this day and age, but reading this blog post has made me realize this would be a trip of a life time. Hubby Brad and I are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary next year in September so if we are lucky enough to be drawn as the winners it would be the most amazing anniversary getaway ever. Fine dining, beautiful accommodation, relaxing lounges and the most amazing scenery one could imagine as we travelled through our beautiful countryside, what a treat this would be… #BrandslutXRovosRail

It’s always been my dream to do a Luxury train trip, first in foremost in South Africa, but I have also been intrigued by the Palace on Wheels in India, so I really enjoyed reading this. I work for Doctors Without Borders and have stressesd my mother out by working in conflict zones like Afghanistan and Somalia for the past few years. I’m finally coming home and I couldn’t think of anything better than doing this once in a lifetime trip with my mum to celebrate being back and thank her for all her love and support. I’ve missed home so much and it would be a huge treat to get to see our country’s beautiful Karoo and other landscapes from the luxurious comfort of Rovos Rail. Traveling by train is my favourite mode of transport, but I”ve never got to do it either in style or long distance in South Africa. As I’m on an NGO salary this isn’t something I can afford to book, but if I’m not lucky enough to win this it’s something I will carry on saving for.

It’s always been my dream to do a Luxury train trip, first and foremost in South Africa, but I have also been intrigued by the Palace on Wheels in India, so I really enjoyed reading this. I work for a humanitarian organisation and have stressesd my mother out by working in conflict zones like Afghanistan and Somalia for the past few years. I’m finally coming home and I couldn’t think of anything better than doing this once in a lifetime trip with my mum to celebrate being back and thank her for all her love and support.

I’ve missed home so much and it would be a huge treat to get to see our country’s beautiful Karoo and other landscapes from the luxurious comfort of Rovos Rail. Traveling by train is my favourite mode of transport, but I”ve never got to do it either in style or long distance in South Africa. As I’m on an NGO salary this isn’t something I can afford to book, but if I’m not lucky enough to win this it’s something I will carry on saving for.

HI! I just love your journies! This train journey would be amazing for me and my husband, always feel a bit sorry for myself as never really had a proper honeymoon, and next year we will be married 10yrs! This would be AWESOME!

#BrandslutXRovosRail what an unbelievable competition.
I would take either my gran or my mom along for this incredible journey. My gran (who I call Bobba) will be celebrating her 90th birthday next year and this would be an incredible bonding trip.
She took me with on many bus trips and train rides growing up but nothing nearly as glamorous and amazing this opportunity would be.
My mom, would adore winning this trip too, she is inspired by our gorgeous landscapes, as well as experiencing pure luxury (which Rovos Rail epitomizes) and I love that about her.

I would love to win this amazing giveaway.
Being a single parent I have had to sacrifice a lot for my son and daughter.
My baby is finally in Matric this year.
I would love to spoil her with this.
Thank you for the opportunity

My wife & I were going to celebrate out 10th wedding anniversary by going on a cruise but something happened & we ended up selling the tickets. I’d love to treat my wife to this as it’s the kind of experience that I know she’d love!#BrandslutXRovosRail #bucketlist

Wow, the images are just stunning, but I know the real deal is 1000x better. I’d love to spoil my boyfriend (and myself) with this incredible break away for our anniversary. We’ve both never been to Cape Town, and this would be such a unique, and special first trip to the Mother City, not to mention the special memories we’ll make. Followed all steps and hoping for the best! xoxo

I would take my mom as this has been a very tough year for her, being and doing for everyone but herself, including losing her mother, so I feel she is more than deserving of this incredible experience. Neither of us have experienced a journey quite like this – I wish my dad was still around to share this experience with her, but alas. I have always wanted to experience the Rovos Rail, thought of it more as a dream, one day when life affords the opportunity. You have painted such a brilliant experience, thank you!

15th wedding anniversary is coming up soon. While we usually treat these days with humor and fun (silly presents, funny cards) I would love to share this experience as a complete change of pace.

When I was a child I was watching a show about luxury travel, and was so exited that one of the best was in SA. I promised myself I would go when I was an adult and could do anything. That was decades ago, before I understood the fact that adults have too many responsibilities, too many bills, and even if I could save enough, there would always be a sick child, a broken car, and all the other big or little things that make savings disappear.

This is an insanely amazing prize! The last time I was in a train was 1992 from Cookhouse in the Eastern Cape to Johannesburg to visit my great-aunt. Was SUCH a special and memorable family trip, remember it like it was yesterday! Would love nothing more than reliving the old charm travel mode in serious style!

Good day. My name is Kurt Richards and I would love to experience this with my wife . We have being together for 11 years and just celebrated our 6th year wedding anniversary on the 3rd of September however I was not able to spend the day with her as I work miles away in another province. I work 7 days a week away from home in another province and only get to see my wife and daughter once a month. It is extremely tough living apart but it is A sacrifice that I have to make in order to support my family. This experience is exactly what we need to reignite that spark in our marriage and it will give me the opportunity to show my wife that Kurto still got a little romance in him lol

Looks like an awesome experience, it’s definitely on the bucket list!
I’d take my husband – we’re parents of a beautiful and BUSY one year old, so the idea of a few nights together to rest and relax is beyond amazing! ;) #grannypleasebabysit
xxx

The best memories of my childhood, were spent road-tripping and roving with my mother. She is who I would take on this decadent travel escapade, because she most recently willed me with my dream – New York! I would love to gift her with this opportunity because she actually never takes moments to luxuriate or travel for enjoyment.

This #BrandslutXRovosRail trip would mean the world for me, because I’d get to bond with her, and truly show her – even slightly – how much she means the world to me.

Besides, Rovos’s global travel hospitality acclaim – and your testament to the fact – makes me eager for this experience.
Who doesn’t like to roam and rove in luxury?

AMAZING, I would take my Mom. She is taking a lot of strain looking after her own mom who suffers from altzeimers. I feel a trip and spoils like this for a brief period would do wonders to give her a boost and ready to tackle another month.

My hubby and I would love this! We are foodies. ..but also parents to 2 young boys…I am in desperate need to be rocked to sleep and he is in desperate need to switch off (he works looong hours, weeks at a time in Lesotho) the boys and I are with my mom…so some alone time with hubby, son of a train driver, also steam trains if I’m correct, would just be AMAZING!

When the clock struck midnight on 2016 and we welcomed in 2017, my heart was full of hope, happiness and excitement. 2016 was a shit year for us all – let’s be honest! “2017 is going to be our year – I can feel it!” I told my husband the next morning, I was so sure of it. Fast forward to October and despite the moments of fun and laughter in between, this year has been nothing short of testing, grueling, heartbreaking and filled with many tears. I won’t go into the sob stories as they are a little personal, but it has lots to do with fertility struggles and the dreaded “C” word. Cancer. A word that stops you dead in your tracks and makes you forget about anything and everything else going on in your life. When breast cancer becomes your reality at 32 – nothing else matters. You life literally changes in seconds. Mine did 4 weeks ago. You have a whole new vocabulary of acronymns as the words are too complex to pronounce, tissues become a staple item in your handbag (usually to give to other people) and you start investing heavily in waterproof mascara. I’m not saying my husband and I deserve this prize any more than everyone else who has left comments above – as their reasons are their reality and actually, everyone needs some good news in their lives! But the moment our lives changed forever – holiday plans that were once on the horizon moved further and further away (cancer ain’t cheap!) and any kind of planning for “our future” stopped dead in its tracks. That’s what cancer does in the beginning. It owns you. Whether you like it or not. Choice goes out the window and your mortality becomes so real you feel it with every breath. But as we started receiving test results back (all whilst going through the various stages of grief), and once we finally got to the strategy of how we’re going to fight this thing (with big thanks to our rockstar team of hardcore doctors!) – our fighting and positive spirit is back and stronger than ever. So no – we don’t deserve this holiday because we need a break from our lives – cancer waits for no one so the fight will be ongoing and it will by no means be a short and easy trip. But if this prize can be a momentary break from what will be a daily fight for my life, then I can whole heartedly guarantee you that every single moment on that train – with my incredible husband – will be a gift and an encouragement to keep positive, to keep my fighting spirit going with grace and dignity – and lastly to send this bloody godawful disease back to whatever hole it crawled out from!! xx

I would love to win this prize, not for myself but for my parents. It has been my mom’s life long dream to go for a trip on the Rovos Rail and what better way to say thank you thank you for everyhing my parents have done for me to treat them with a trip and make a dream come true on the Rovos Rail.

I am mesmerized by trains! I have always wanted to do a rail trip, watching the landscapes change and waking to new scenery. No better way to be immersed in history than on a rail trip! I’ll definitely take my fiancé Jack. It’ll be a wonderful get-away for me mostly, to be gently rocked to sleep… bliss! I have a 1 year old dangling off me as I write this.

I would send my folks. Dirk and Mara. Married 43 years. Together through thick and thin. They have both been very ill the last couple of months with mom in constant pain from RA and doting dad trying his best to look after her. It has been a dream of theirs to go on the Rovos and it would be something great for them to look forward to.

Wow! Would love to do this with my husband who’s had a craaaazy year of work and overtime building his own new furniture company. Last night we talked about how we hope next year is more consistent. This would be such a treat!

My husband and I would absolutely love to win this! We adore traveling by train and do so wherever we can all over the world. There’s just something about the combination of the rythm of the train, gorgeous scenery passing by and a G&T in hand, that you can’t beat! xxx

3 years into our relationship and we’ve yet to go to Cape Town together, only separately for business. This is an opportunity of a lifetime to finally get to that destination in style, and what’s more, we can bring in our 4th anniversary whilst sipping champagne on the train. Eeeeek! Holding thumbs!!

I’d love to gift this prize to my parents as a huge Thank You for caring for our 100 year old granny with such love and devotion. They are an example to us all and this would be the trip of a lifetime for them!

This is the ultimate romantic getaway!
I would with no doubt take the one which my soul loves, my boyfriend.
We are currently looking at ideas for a 3year anniversary and were thinking of exploring the Cape, we live in such a beautiful country. My boyfriend is a farmer and with limited time for a holiday a weekend 2day getaway is just perfect.

I would take my ultimate partner in Crime, Anna. We have been through so much and will never stop going on adventures. Id love to go on the Rovos Rail because I never got my letter from Hogwarts and I’d love to preted that this is the hogwarts express!

Hello!
I would most definitely take my Favourite travelling companion and all round partner in crime – my husband Robin.
Next year would mark our 5 year anniversary and what a wonderful adventure this would be! It looks fabulous

I would love to take my wife Philippa on this trip. I have a plan in my head for a re-proposal to her, I really messed my proposal up when I asked her to marry me and it ended up being the most unromantic proposal ever and have been trying to plan another proposal. This would be the perfect trip to do it!

This sounds totally Amazing!! I absolutely love LOVE train journeys, & I agree with you ..there is something so special about watching the landscape change outside the window ? my boyfriend & I have been lucky enough to do a few in Europe, but never one in our own beautiful country! ??⛰? would so love to win this! X

I will be taking my mother on this trip. She recently retired after 28 years as a high school science and maths teacher and we have never traveled on such a trip together. It will be a great way to bond as mother and son.

I’d take my bestie Hayley! We’ve been besties for over 30 years, and as busy moms we don’t get nearly enough time together to relax, unwind and experience things like this together – chatting over (more than) a GnT or two!

This is the perfect romantic getaway for 2. Living in the rat race where cellphones and lap tops are consistently on and disrupting personal and social environments, this would be the most amazing getaway for myself and my partner. Running your own business in the PR industry does not allow one to ever switch off. This holiday would provide the perfect opportunity for just that. To reconnect and spend some quality time together in a lap of luxury whilst viewing our amazing country. I need more content for my IG profile too ;) and I have discovered landscape is where I am the most happy and creative.

Can’t think of a better birthday gift for my husband & I – we both celebrate in November. Plus we haven’t relaxed/sat down/slept/chatted/eaten a meal at the same time for 14 months – hahaha! #newparentproblems #BrandslutXRovosRail

I would absolutely love to take my younger sister on this trip – she lives in Canada, but will be in SA for a 3 month holiday from April 2018. 2 nights on the incredible Rovos Rail would be the perfect way to remind her that South Africa will always be her beautiful home, no matter where she ends up in the world!

Hi There
I’d like to take my amazing girlfriend of 5 years and future wife on this amazing adventure. we had our fifth-year anniversary on Friday 27 October

I’d really love to win this for 2 reasons.
1. I was stupid enough to believe my girlfriend when she said she didn’t want to do anything on our anniversary, I bought her a present which she loved and I too got an amazing present. excerpt I was stupid enough to not plan anything beyond that and thought that Netflix and chill would suffice. I was very wrong.
Winning this will help me right my wrongs.
2. I’ve never been on a Rovers Rail adventure

A totally unforgettable way to celebrate our special anniversary – this would blow my man’s mind!!!!!!!!!!!
What an incredible romantic journey it would be – the making of new memories what celebrating our amazing life together.
Crossing fingers and toes!!

Winning will be a dream come true for me and my sister (who I’ll take along, if I win). We both have such fond memories from our childhoods when my grandmother and grandfather took us on outings to Kalk Bay by train. My sister has also been a stay-at-home mom for over 10 years now, where she home-schools my nieces – meaning, she’s not had a holiday (without the nagging of “mom!”) for over a decade. I’ve also recently started my own business and, I’m sure you’ll be able to relate, a holiday is not very often on your radar as business owner. I think this will remedy that for us.

I would take my lovely partner Miliswa, she has had a rather rough year whilst supporting me to chase my dreams and running her own business in the process. Earlier in the year got retrenched and was unemployed for a few months. She is taking her cousin through varsity, she provides for her family back home and recently lost her mother.

I just think she deserves some time away to relax and break away from the hardships she’s been facing…

This trip looks amazing, like you would travel back in time to see the mesmerizing landscapes of beautiful SA! I’d definitely take along my boyfriend, Ruan, if I won. We love travelling together. There’s something special about taking in new experiences, but it makes it even more amazing to share it with someone who appreciates the same things you do.

Hello my name is Natalie. You might know me from hits such as “once upon a time in Iceland” “Reunion in Reunion” and of course, “A boat trip in France”. There is of course also the “I’m one of your best friends” hit, which is still in circulation. You might also know that I, personally, have had the immense privilege of being designated +1 on board Rovos Rail before. However, I enter this competition on behalf of often left behind, ever loyal partner, Keenan. This wonderful man never complains when I board yet another plane, train or boat without him and this alone makes me feel like he really deserves a luxurious adventure with Rovos Rail all his own. If this is a random draw, I’d like throw his name in the hat, cross my fingers, close my eyes, and hope for the best.

I would be honoured to take my sister on this trip. She recently turned 35 this month and she went through a bad break earlier this year.

She is the family’s pillar of strength and well wisher. She always puts others’ needs and interests before her own. So this amazing trip would a way of showing her gratitude for being a caring mother, supportive sister and kind and courageous human being.

I just want to make my sister feel loved and appreciated. In addition, I want to show her that the grass is greener on the other side. She may have ended a six year relationship but that doesn’t mean she has to be miserable. Life is full of surprises and God will be with her in her new journey as a single mom.

I would be honoured to take my sister on this trip. She recently turned 35 this month and she went through a bad break earlier this year.

She is the family’s pillar of strength and well wisher. She always puts others’ needs and interests before her own. So this amazing trip would a way of showing her gratitude for being a caring mother, supportive sister and kind and courageous human being.

I just want to make my sister feel loved and appreciated. In addition, I want to show her that the grass is greener on the other side. She may have ended a six year relationship but that doesn’t mean she has to be miserable. Life is full of surprises and God will be with her in her new journey as a single mom.

The only time I have ever seen such luxury is in the media, the closet I ever got to experiencing it was working in the hospitality industry. I would love this to share with my husband as we need time to reconnect and fall in love again. With the hussel and bussel of life we seem to become complacent and this would be the perfect escape. the way to enjoy the scenery and the breath taking natural beauty of our country. Thank-you for the peak into perfection. @Cazker1

On Sunday, my husband and I were driving home and saw what I think was the Rovos Rail train (along the N1 in Cape Town). He said it’s something he has always wanted to do, travel by luxury train, and I remembered this giveaway. So here I am, hoping that I can take my husband on a trip he’s always wanted. Simply because he’s the man I choose to go on life’s adventure with and he deserves nothing but the best.

Ah I would love to win this so much. I would take my boyfriend Dane. On our very first date we watched The Darjeeling Limited together and so it would be a dream come true to go on this train with him!

I’ll be taking my older sister (my soulmate) along with me. Next year is her 40th birthday and she deserves a gift like this more than anyone else in the world! She spoils everyone around her, so I think she deserves this once in a lifetime gift for the most epic 40th imaginable.

I would take my mom. She has done so much for me and i would love to give back to her. I am a lover of food and the idea of having two days relaxing and having delicious food being served to us sounds amazing.

What a wonderful prize. I would love to take my husband on this trip of a lifetime. We got married quietly without a big wedding and had no funds for a honeymoon. All of our time and effort has gone into raising our 18month old son. So, I would absolutely love to thank him for being the best dad, husband and friend with this beautiful trip! #BrandslutXRovosRail

I will take my amazing LEGEND of a hubby Anthony. We are married for 7 years and next year will mark our milestone past the 7 year itch – we made it! We would love to celebrate our love for the next 77 years on the ROVOS.

I would take my younger sister along on this trip.Being ten years my junior,we have only now started to share a special bond that celebrates our life as sisters.This trip will be more than leisure as she studies Tourism Management which always excites her,and I intrigued by the little things we often take for granted.

Would pack my parents up and send them as they start to rediscover each other, our country and life without kids. They have given so much of themselves to my brother and I, giving them permission to live and explore is what I think R&R is about.

What a treat this trip would be as my husband and I got engaged in Cape Town three years ago. It holds such a special place in our hearts and we aren’t able to visit nearly as often as we’d like! He’s the absolute best travel companion, always up for a little adventure and this would be the ultimate way to celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary next year! Holding thumbs!

A mate and his fiance won a similar experience about 2 years ago and they couldn’t stop raving about how insanely amazing the journey was! Back of my mind I am longing to take my lovely #Mrs_Licious on a trip of a lifetime, and this is exactly the opportunity I would love to share with her!

This has me so excited seeing as trains are one of my other half’s fondest memories shared with his dad that passed away in 2013. When he told me the story the first time of how his dad took them on holiday on a train, about how it rained the first night, the sounds he remembers and how it’s one of the best times he shared when his dad was still around; it really was such a precious story told and I could see the impact the a simple holiday made, that at the time, seemed so insignificant. To be able to make and share our own kind of memory, whilst giving him the chance to relive a fond childhood memory would truly be a blessing in a sense.

I would love to win this amazing prize. I drive the Gautrain everyday which has made me develop a love for trains, it is like no other transport. I would love to go as my studies are super time consuming and it is so easy to get demotivated while studying a degree, one test can set you back mentally for days. I honestly would just love a break away from the caos. I would take my sci-kick along with me, otherwise known as my boyfriend because hey who won’t take their boyfriend on an amazing trip!

This has honestly been on my bucket list for years! As a little girl, my grandparents told me of their experience on the train and of a friend whose daughter worked on the train some years – the best years of her life. It would be an absolute honor to be able to take my mom with me. She’s the rock of my family and a more selfless person doesn’t exist. To be able to have a memory like this with my mom would be an absolute dream come true. She doesn’t take holidays or go shopping or really treat herself at all so to spoil her, and see her face light up… I’m not sure a picture would even be able to contain the joy.

I would love to take my fianncé on an adventure. It would be my first time ever in Jhb and maybe if I am lucky we could do it together. First time on the Rovos, first time in Jhb, first adventure as fiances.

I’ve had a really rough time this year – in fact, I wish 2017 would just end already. After a very sad separation and a lot of emotional upheaval, i have been lucky enough to make the kind of friend I feel is once in a lifetime. Nothing could signify a brand new start in life for me – and this friend – like a once-in-a-lifetime luxury escape. It would mark the turn of my luck and hopefully a happier future.

I have such fond memories of stories of trains that my grandpa loved telling me as a little girl. He had the most amazing model trains and built scenic landscapes and we would sit for hours and come up with the most imaginative stories and adventures. Its there where this bucket list item dream began. This trip would be a dream come true! I would take my “adventure partner” – my husband with me, and since we’ll be celebrating 5 years of marriage next year, it would be EXTRA special!

What an amazing competition. I’d take my wonderful boyfriend, who happens to be a chef and loves as much as I do (hello delicious 3 course meals!) We’re always looking for scenic getaways and this ticks all the boxes!

I would love to take my son on this trip. We have had a standing joke about going on a train and mincing around with a glass of wine and being in our fancy pants since he was four years old. I just want to give him everything I can to make his life full and rich. This looks amazing <3

Hi Misha from Brandslut. This is an absolutely fantastic prize you are offering. A prize once in a lifetime. The partner in crime i would take with is also a once in a lifetime find ;) Her name is Erica Geldenhuys and we will have been dating for a year in December. She means absolutely everything to me and deserves some spoiling more than ever. I would be so lucky and fortunate to win this prize for the two of us.
Can’t wait to hear from you.

AH I can’t edit my post and I just saw my partner has to be older than 18 so I can’t take my son, BUT I would most certainly tell him all the stories and show him all the pictures. Then one of the amazing friends I have that hold me down when things fall to pieces. <3 Someone else that deserves a break from reality.

Shoo, my delicious manfriend deserves a treat like this. Not only does he put up with my incessant singing (very badly) and dancing to Whitney Houston, but he also paints my toenails and ensures my wine glass is never empty. Furthermore, I think he should bloody propose already and locomotive proposal which coincides with my THIRTIETH Birthday in April would be very special :)

I have been obsessed with luxury train travel since I was a little girl. This week has been one of the worst weeks of the decade – I had a hair demon bleach my hair blonde and dye it grey green – and then a “fix-up” job at an overpriced Asian salon whereby my hair was returned to brown, but I lost half of the length and have been left with one of the strangest chip choppy haircuts I have ever seen. Please give me something to smile about and something to look forward to. Hair takes a Long time to grow.
#brandslutxrovosrail
P.S. I would take my mum or my baby sister. Both are over 18, both would indulge me and take as many photos of me as I would them, and both will love me with my bad hair day (/year) ❤️

My boyfriend and I have recently started working after a very long haul of studying and since our first salaries were paid into our accounts, it has been a non-stop saving extravaganza to do the thing we love the most, explore! What a magical way the Rovos Rail would be to see parts of beautiful SA. He and I would absolutely love to win this endless eating journey with an ever changing view!

my mom has dreamed of doing this for such a long time.
and this would be the most amazing surprise gift for her.
she is such an incredible mom, sacrifices so much for me and my business.
not only does she love unconditionally and do anything in her power for me.
she treats all my employees with the same love and attention.
she even looked after my boyfriend when he was sick and i was away for work.
the most incredible woman on the earth, and i would do anything to give this to her.

Well, well! Me and mine are planning to get married without anyone knowing. To be honest, we have been together for 7 years and everyone is expecting an engagement announcement (all the grannies and nagging aunties). While in Cape Town this weekend (we live in Joburg), we decided that the most awesome thing would be to simply tell everyone that we are going away for the weekend and then come back hitched. Getting hitched on the Rovos Rail would be way too epic! We will obviously follow up with an awesome party! Perhaps near the station when we arrive back! Super blissful! Will be happy with to share all our pics with Rovos to use afterwards too! Win win!

I’d take my sister/best friend with me. We went to Thailand last year and she was obsessed with the trains in Bangkok …and those were just normal trains to get around the city. She’d absolutely lose her mind over this prize.

I would love to take my Husband for our 10 year anniversary… he is an incredibly kind, gentle and beautiful soul. This trip is definitely on his bucket list and being able to give life to some of his dreams would be a great honour for me.

Both my partner and I have been travel junkies for the last 8 years and the Rovos rail trip has been a dream trip for a very very very long time. We will both be home from London in April and my partner by then wouldn’t have been back in SA in 3.5 years. What better way to travel back to family in Cape Town and soak up the majestic beauty of South Africa than by travelling on Rovos Rail and appreciating everything of home. There is no better way!!! I have to add that this would be a very special 30th birthday treat for me too which is at the end of March. So a welcome home and a happy birthday in one !!

Brandslut and Rovos Rail fangirl! I have been dreaming and googling Rovos since I can remember. I am engaged and this would be a once in a lifetime experience with my Ettiene! xoliezl.meyer@yahoo.co.uk

I would take my gorgeous husband Brett with me because he’s the ideal travelling companion. He loves adventure, discovering new things and is always full of fun!
He would be certain to make the trip even more memorable!

My Mom and I have never gone on a trip together and I feel like this is the best mom/daughter trip there can be!! She has been a pillar of strength my whole life, but recently I have suffered relationship heartbreak while moving far from family and friends and even from across an ocean she has managed to still be the most comforting person – something you know a Mom can only be.

I am returning to South Africa in August 2018 to visit my family and I would love to surprise her with this trip for us to spend a few days of just her and I since she is surrounded by boys now since I left – even the dog is male!

After 3 very difficult years I found life and love again and I would love to take the most awesome boyfriend with me. He taught me that I matter and reminded me how important it is to laugh together and have fun.

What a great giveaway!
About 12 years ago my parents did a train tour down to Cape Town and ever since then they have been dreaming of doing it again but life kinda always gets in the way. If I win I will give it to them, as a thank you for all that they have done for us!

I would take my mom with me. At the age of 22 while travelling the world my mother got meningitis and had to have her leg amputated. Since then she has had to fight her way through life, proving that a disability doesn’t have to stop you from living an extraordinary life. For many years she has strived to help those less fortunate than her, and given them the opportunity to have access to healthcare and the correct prosthetics to live an independent life. My mom deserves this trip of a lifetime, she is an incredible woman. I would be beyond thrilled to share this experience with her.

I have heard such incredible things about Rovos Rail, so I’m dying to experience it for myself. By April next year I will have been newly wed to my fresh new husband (!!!), so I’d of course take him. We don’t have a honeymoon planned yet, so this would be an amazing start to a new adventure.

My fiancé and myself basically spend our life planning our next weekend away/road trip and getaway. We’ve been talking about this experience for over 1 year. Obviously the price has always held us back. Maybe this is our ticket.

I could only share an opportunity like this with my girlfriend, we have been fortunate enough to experience parts of Canada by train, but would do anything to see our beautiful country from the rail. Next year is the beginning of something new for us and would love to take a little adventure for ourrselves.

I’d take my partner in crime of everyday life who also happens to be my boyfriend & my best friend. Winning this will give us an opportunity for the first time to do something romantic together. We’ve taken all the big steps together, moved to a new city, got new jobs, and of course the biggest of all, figuring out everyday life. One thing has always kept us close even in trying times and that is our hunger for adventure, delicious food and beautiful views. While he gets to travel a lot with his job as a cinematographer we’ve never travelled together and it would be truly amazing to get to do so

If I won this, I would without a doubt take my long term boyfriend with me. We love to travel together and experiencing this train is something that has been on our bucket list for ages. We perfectly balance each other out when we travel and in life in general. I would love to share this with him

Slut of the brand, lend me your hand & fire up the band. Loosing I can’t stand, not when it comes to the finest train in the land. A proper spoil for me & my lady, oh now wouldn’t that be grand.
So do your magic, do your thing, just be sure it’s me you ring.

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About Me

Misha

Hello! I'm a Johannesburg-based digital marketer and blogger with a passion for brands & marketing, travel, fashion, beauty, gadgets, fitness, decor & DIY. I'm a new mama to a beautiful baby boy; I hope you enjoy the change in content and perspective as much as I do. Please get in touch if you'd like to collaborate via brandslutblog@gmail.com.